Warning

General

Due to the impacts of the ice storm across the area, the recreation area is temporarily closed until the area is cleared of safety hazards and damages to resources. Visitors should call the district office or monitor this page for updates.Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), and for the protection of public health and safety and resources, Chewalla Lake Recreation Area is temporarily closed.

CHEWALLA LAKE RECREATION AREA
Playground
Walking Trail by the Lake
Fishing Island & Dock
CHEWALLA LAKE BOAT RAMP

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
Playground Playground

About Chewalla Lake Recreation Area

Chewalla Lake Recreation Area is located in the Holly Springs Ranger District in northern Mississippi. Visitors enjoy swimming and relaxing on the sandy beach on the lake shore, as well as canoeing, kayaking and fishing.

Available sites

12 total sites

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
Playground Playground
RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

  • Dump station on site
On Site Services

On Site Services

  • Playground
Water Access

Water Access

  • Lake Access
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see availability.

12 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 001, Loop: North RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 60 × 20 ft
🚐 002, Loop: North RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 60 × 20 ft
🚐 003, Loop: North RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 60 × 20 ft
🚐 028, Loop: South RV
Pet Friendly · 60 × 20 ft · Paved
🚐 031, Loop: South RV
Pet Friendly · 60 × 20 ft · Paved
🚐 033, Loop: South RV
Pet Friendly · 60 × 20 ft · Paved
🚐 037, Loop: South RV
Pet Friendly · 60 × 20 ft · Paved
🚐 038, Loop: South RV
Pet Friendly · 60 × 20 ft · Paved
🚐 039, Loop: South RV
Pet Friendly · 60 × 20 ft · Paved
🚐 040, Loop: South RV
Pet Friendly · 60 × 20 ft · Paved
🚐 041, Loop: South RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 60 × 20 ft
🚐 042, Loop: South RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 60 × 20 ft

Reviews

59 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Chewalla Lake Recreation Area offers a peaceful and scenic environment with spacious campsites and friendly hosts who are dedicated to maintaining the campground. Many visitors appreciate the quiet atmosphere, hot showers, and well-kept trails for hiking and biking. Despite some areas needing repairs and improvements, the potential for revitalization is recognized, and guests encourage support for the campground's restoration efforts.

Based on guest feedback

3.7

Overall rating

Based on 59 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 47.5% (28)
4 stars 20.3% (12)
3 stars 6.8% (4)
2 stars 10.2% (6)
1 star 15.3% (9)

Showing 59 reviews

Casey H

Verified

May 14, 2021 Stayed at: 041, Loop: South

Had been coming here for 6 years but missed a year with the COVID shut down. Came back this year to no camp host, bathrooms/showers locked up tight, and terrible, terrible road conditions. The new trailer pads were nice but we cut our trip short due to the creepy ghost town atmosphere and repeated falls into potholes when trying to go anywhere. Really sad. Thanks for the memories but that's it for us.

Helpful

Heather W

Verified

May 28, 2021 Stayed at: 042, Loop: South

During our first stay on May 9 the grass was overgrown, sites were full of garbage and branches and the place looked abandoned. A tornado hit nearby and we had to scope out a ravine to run to since the bathrooms were closed. On our second stay on May 19 the grass had been cut but a sketchy couple slept in their pickup truck nearby with a loose dog and the man rode his 4-wheeler around the campground until around 2am. At least he finally turned his loud music off around 11pm. It would have been nice to have a ranger come through to check things out. It's a shame, because the lake here is pretty and it's a very convenient location right off the interstate. If you come here, just know you're on your own and there are very few "livable" campsites.

Helpful

Marc J

Verified

June 12, 2021 Stayed at: 002, Loop: North

The place needs to be closed. Looks as if nobody was there since COVID-19 (April) 2020. Showers were filthy, restrooms were locked. Spider webs EVERYWHERE! Didn’t feel safe at all so we left after one night. Pitiful for a COE government run facility. Cannot and will not recommend.

Helpful

Roger G

Verified

June 24, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: North

Host was flipping out screaming all morning. No one was there. Chunks of burnt wood laying all over the place. Swimming area and restrooms were closed due to vandalism.

Helpful

Lynn P

Verified

July 7, 2021 Stayed at: 003, Loop: North

We got to the park ant it said it was closing due to extreme vandalism. The park’s facilities were all locked and there was just a port a potty there, the sites were a mess and out of all the sites there, only 2 were reserved July 4 weekend. There was no camp host, no check in and it was totally deserted except for two tent campers, one group looks like they had been there for a long time, they had a car but no license plate was on the car. We were to scared to stay so we left after walking around the entire campground, which looked totally abandoned. I would like my money back.

Helpful

Larry M

Verified

July 8, 2021 Stayed at: 041, Loop: South

A really nice campground area,however, the bathhouses were closed due to vandalism & the whole rec area is being shut down,closed completely because of that & not being able to get good,responsible camp hosts. Really a shame as the sites are roomy some w/electric & water, all have fire rings & grills. The Army Corp of Engineers always does a great job with all their campgrounds & recreation areas. Too bad this one will be closed indefinitely. Very sad.

Helpful

John C

October 10, 2023

The campsite was closed for awhile and was recently hit by a micro burst. The camp host and NFS have done a good job of getting the campground back in recent shape. The bathrooms should be done soon.
I felt very safe and the campground was clean and quiet. I guess my only complaint would be the 1,000,000 watt flood lights on the washroom. Kind of ruins the darkness of the camping experience.

Helpful

Grady S

Verified

October 21, 2023 Stayed at: 002, Loop: North

Great place to camp. Clean rest rooms.

Helpful

Grady S

Verified

October 21, 2023 Stayed at: 003, Loop: North

Great low key site. Chuck, the campsite host, greeted us and was very informative of the current renovation that is still going on. Still a lot of work on the back sites, but will be back again. Park ranger did frequent drive throughs.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Chewalla Lake Recreation Area

Us Forest Service, 1000 Front Street, Oxford, MS 38655 United States

Elevation: 124 ft

Getting There

In Holly Springs, Mississippi at the intersection of State Routes 4 and 7, take Route 4 east 1.4 mi to the Chewalla Lake sign. At the sign, bear right and go 5.7 mi to the Chewalla Lake Recreation Area sign (Forest Route 611/Chewalla Lake Road). T...

Nearest town

Oxford, MS - 41 mi

About 52 min to downtown

Highway access

Chewalla Lake Recreation Area is accessible via US Highway 278, which is approximately 10 miles to the north. Additionally, Interstate 55 is about 20 miles to the east, providing further access to the area.

Policies & Rules

General

  • Click here for more information on Mississippi's National Forests
  • Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
  • Pets are not allowed on the beach.

Warnings & Advisories

Warning

General

Due to the impacts of the ice storm across the area, the recreation area is temporarily closed until the area is cleared of safety hazards and damages to resources. Visitors should call the district office or monitor this page for updates.Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), and for the protection of public health and safety and resources, Chewalla Lake Recreation Area is temporarily closed.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: November 2, 2026

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Explore Oxford, MS

Population: 26,411

Nearby city: Southaven, MS

Approx. 42 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 512 ft

Oxford, MS

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service